Cadastral Mapping

Cadastral Mapping is the process of surveying, delineating, and recording the boundaries of land parcels along with information about ownership, tenure rights, land use, and property value. The cadastre is a fundamental public record that documents who owns what land and where its boundaries lie, providing the spatial framework for property taxation, real estate transactions, land use planningLand Use PlanningLand Use Planning is the systematic process of evaluating and allocating land resources to meet community needs for h..., and civil infrastructure management. Modern cadastral systems integrate GISGISGeographic Information Systems (GIS) enable users to analyze and visualize spatial data to uncover patterns, relation... technology, satellite positioning, and digital records management to maintain accurate and accessible land information. Geospatial Technologies for Cadastral MappingGNSS surveying using differential and RTK-corrected GPSGPSThe Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system operated by the U.S. Space Force that prov... provides centimeter-level accuracy for establishing and verifying property boundary monuments. Total stationTotal StationA total station is an electronic surveying instrument that combines an electronic theodolite for measuring angles wit... and terrestrial laser scanning provide precise measurements for urban lot surveys and complex boundary determinations. High-resolution satellite and drone imagery supports parcel mapping in areas where ground surveys are impractical, particularly for initial registration of informal or customary land rights. GIS-based land information systems maintain spatial and attribute data for every parcel in a jurisdiction, supporting search, query, and analysis functions. Web-based cadastral portals provide public access to parcel boundaries, ownership records, and property information. Applications and ChallengesProperty taxation uses cadastral maps and valuation data to calculate and distribute tax obligations equitably among landowners. Land registration provides legal certainty of ownership and tenure rights, enabling secure property transactions and access to credit. Land use planning uses parcel data to implement zoningZoningZoning is a land use planning tool that divides geographic areas into zones with specific permitted uses, building st..., building regulations, and development controls. Infrastructure planning uses cadastral boundaries to route utilities, roads, and other facilities and to manage right-of-way acquisition. Key challenges include the incomplete cadastral coverage in many developing countries where large proportions of land rights are not formally recorded, the ongoing cost of maintaining boundary accuracy as land is subdivided and consolidated, the legacy of colonial and historical survey systems with varying accuracy and legal status, disputed boundaries and overlapping claims in areas with complex land histories, and the need to accommodate both formal property rights and customary or indigenous land tenure systems.